Tourism operators say there have been no reports of cancellations following the earthquakes but the industry is in damage control because of potential damage to NZ's image.

WATCH: When Ben Todd saw water rising towards his family home he knew there was only one thing to do.

Learn from Christchurch and subsidise businesses hit by the devastating Kaikoura earthquake, former mayor Sir Bob Parker has told the Government.

A number of schools have been closed due to flooding, affecting some students due to sit exams after afternoon.

Restoring highway access to Kaikoura will take months, Transport Minister Simon Bridges says.

Relieved tourists have been flown by helicopter from Kaikoura to a Red Cross Centre in North Canterbury this morning.

Steven Joyce has been charged with putting together a "business continuity package" for Kaikoura.

Defence Force sends hundreds of staff plus planes and ships to earthquake-affected south.

Three blokes in a 4WD have headed into big country searching out those needing help in the wake of the Kaikoura Earthquake.

Helicopters from US and Malaysia will help out in Kaikoura, says PM John Key.

New Zealand Post is warning that some mail will be delayed in areas hit by this week's earthquakes.

Several cars drove past an unwell and elderly quake victim, dressed in her pyjamas as she struggled to higher ground with her walking

Tourism leaders fear the image of New Zealand as a destination will be harmed by the earthquakes.

Preliminary modelling suggests that the earthquake was caused by a rupture of a northeast-striking fault t, but this may be a more complex event.

Richie McCaw, who has been airlifting stranded tourists out of Kaikoura, says the devastation from the air looks "pretty crazy".

Aftershocks continue around Kaikoura this morning.

A helicopter pilot says he could smell the fresh earth uncovered by the Kaikoura earthquake hundreds of metres in the air as he flew above the scene.

Tourists will be ranked according to need as the evacuation of Kaikoura begins.

Tourists endure rough night in welfare centre and cars but rescue flights under way today.

JS141116NADQUAKE115.JPG A planned surf lesson for a group of international students at Sandy Bay went ahead yesterday after instructors

An English couple was brought to tears describing their nightmare New Zealand holiday.

The HMNZS Canterbury is expected to arrive in Kaikoura tomorrow.

'Long, scary night' for family as the earth continues to roll.

Engineers hard at work to restore road access to seaside hamlet.

Three cows left standing on an island of land have drawn international attention.

The evacuation, via sea, of tourists stranded in Kaikoura is still a day away.

HMNZS Canterbury is sailing to Kaikoura loaded with aid supplies and will bring back tourists and residents.

Most of Spark's South Island broadband and landline network is hanging by a thread. A cable running along the island's east coast

A historic homestead is in tatters and the four other properties on a north Canterbury sheep and beef farm were damaged in today's

The Clarence River has burst its banks, with residents being told to move to high ground immediately, as aftershocks continue to rock the country.